Crime in Knaresborough: statistics, rates and trends
1,079 crimes were recorded in Knaresborough in the 12 months to July 2026, 64.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Knaresborough at a glance
- Crime trends in Knaresborough
- Types of crime in Knaresborough
- Knaresborough compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Knaresborough
- Streets with the most crime in Knaresborough
- What happened after crimes were reported in Knaresborough
- Population and deprivation in Knaresborough
- Questions about crime in Knaresborough
- About this data
Note: North Yorkshire Police did not publish data for July 2026. Twelve-month figures here are estimated from the months that were published.
1,079 crimes were recorded in Knaresborough in the 12 months to July 2026, 64.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 417 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Knaresborough has the 888th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Knaresborough | North Yorkshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,079 | 40,894 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 64.2 | 64.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +5% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 16,816 | 635,270 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Knaresborough was highest in the year to July 2019 (1,230 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (911). Over the whole period it rose 7%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,079 | 64.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,031 | 61.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 911 | 54.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,055 | 62.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 953 | 56.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,153 | 68.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,144 | 68.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,230 | 73.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,005 | 59.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | 107 |
| May 2026 | 101 |
| April 2026 | 91 |
| March 2026 | 76 |
| February 2026 | 57 |
| January 2026 | 69 |
| December 2025 | 85 |
| November 2025 | 103 |
| October 2025 | 101 |
| September 2025 | 112 |
| August 2025 | 87 |
| July 2025 | 106 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Knaresborough over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in drugs (+39%) and shoplifting (+24%).
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-42%) and other crime (-22%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 417 | 24.8 | 0.72 | +17% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 259 | 15.4 | 1.00 | -6% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 100 | 5.9 | 0.88 | +4% |
| Other theft | 53 | 3.2 | 0.49 | +4% |
| Shoplifting | 51 | 3.0 | 0.37 | +24% |
| Public order | 50 | 3.0 | 0.45 | -12% |
| Burglary | 41 | 2.4 | 0.69 | -9% |
| Drugs | 32 | 1.9 | 0.58 | +39% |
| Vehicle crime | 25 | 1.5 | 0.30 | -42% |
| Other crime | 21 | 1.2 | 0.59 | -22% |
| Robbery | 11 | 0.7 | 0.48 | +83% |
| Bicycle theft | 10 | 0.6 | 0.72 | +100% |
| Possession of weapons | 9 | 0.5 | 0.55 | +80% |
Violence and sexual offences in Knaresborough
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Knaresborough recorded 417 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 38.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Knaresborough
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Knaresborough recorded 259 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 24.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Knaresborough
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Knaresborough recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Knaresborough
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Knaresborough recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Knaresborough
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Knaresborough recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Knaresborough
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Knaresborough recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Knaresborough
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Knaresborough recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Knaresborough
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Knaresborough recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Knaresborough
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Knaresborough recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Knaresborough
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Knaresborough recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Knaresborough
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Knaresborough recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 83% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Knaresborough
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Knaresborough recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Knaresborough
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Knaresborough recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 80% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Knaresborough, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Knaresborough.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Knaresborough |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrogate | 5,380 | 69.4 | +8% |
| Wetherby | 835 | 69.9 | +9% |
| Boston Spa | 244 | 39.7 | -38% |
| Ripon | 1,016 | 58.9 | -8% |
| Tadcaster | 388 | 51.7 | -20% |
| Otley (Leeds) | 914 | 72.3 | +13% |
| Easingwold | 325 | 55.1 | -14% |
| Burley in Wharfedale | 214 | 37.0 | -42% |
2 areas within Knaresborough, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Knaresborough West had the highest rate (75.5 per 1,000) and Knaresborough East the lowest (53.9). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knaresborough West | Neighbourhood | 7,998 | 604 | 75.5 |
| Knaresborough East | Neighbourhood | 8,818 | 475 | 53.9 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Knaresborough over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near | 70 |
| On or near Nora Avenue | 62 |
| On or near Halfpenny Close | 44 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 34 |
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 33 |
| On or near Holly Blue Close | 31 |
| On or near Castlegate | 21 |
| On or near Cheapside | 19 |
| On or near Parking Area | 19 |
| On or near Alexandra Park Road | 18 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Knaresborough over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 345 | 34.9% |
| Not recorded | 237 | 24.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 155 | 15.7% |
| Under investigation | 102 | 10.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 45 | 4.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 34 | 3.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 20 | 2.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 18 | 1.8% |
| Local resolution | 15 | 1.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 0.8% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.3% |
Knaresborough has an estimated population of 16,816. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Knaresborough sits in decile 8.2, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Knaresborough |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 26.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 76.1% |
| Social rented homes | 10.3% |
| Private rented homes | 13.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.2 |
Is Knaresborough a safe place to live?
Knaresborough recorded 64.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Knaresborough?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 417 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (259).
Is crime in Knaresborough going up or down?
Recorded crime in Knaresborough was up 5% on the year before: 1,079 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,031 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Knaresborough?
Knaresborough is policed by North Yorkshire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Knaresborough. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.